Millwood superficially strong in Double-A start

Kevin Millwood made his first start outside of Extended Spring Training today, firing seven one-hit innings for Double-A Trenton. He lost the no-hitter with two outs in the sixth, throwing 88 pitches (53 strikes, 60.2%). It’s good that he accomplished his goal of stretching his arm out and building strength, but the performance isn’t as exciting as it appears on the surface.

Millwood walked four batters and struck out just three, generating just three (unofficial) swings-and-misses. Ten ground outs to five air outs is nice, but a guy with all that big league time shouldn’t be walking that many guys or missing so few bats in Double-A. There’s no word on his stuff – radar gun readings or what not – but I’m sure recent scouting reports of “terrible” still apply. Millwood said after the game that he isn’t sure what the next step is, but his opt-out date is exactly two weeks away. He’s got two more starts to show that he’s still got something left in the tank, but right now I remain highly skeptical.